The community is mourning the death of Jesse Ramirez Camarena, the founder of the band Latin Express and a decades-long “pillar” in the High Desert.
Camarena was 89 years old when he completed his “mission” on Earth, according to his family, who described him as a man who loved his family, the word of God, truth, his community and being generous.
The San Bernardino native died on May 17.
“Jesse was a very intelligent man, constantly buried in books to learn about subjects that were new to him; however, his favorite book was the Holy Bible, where he would read and take massive journaling notes,” his family told the Daily Press.
A jack of all trades, Camarena loved going to the library to take out books that would empower him to become a better auto mechanic or band businessman.
“My cousin, Jesse, was a pillar in the community and he proved that you could create something special at home in the High Desert,” Victorville Mayor Liz Becerra told the Daily Press. “He will be missed.”
Camarena’s Celebration of Life ceremony is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on June 29, at The Church for Whosoever, 18628 Seneca Road, Apple Valley.
Latin Express
Camarena was known for his many accomplishments, but the one that topped the charts was his forming of Latin Express, which would eventually become a household name among many in the High Desert.
In the late 1950s, Camarena played several instruments with a variety of bands in the High Desert, including country bands from now-shuttered George Air Force Base in Victorville and the former Branding Iron steakhouse and cocktail lounge in Apple Valley.
In 1971, Camarena began wearing many hats when he founded Latin Express and performed while booking gigs, writing sheet music, managing contracts, handling transportation and more.
“Jesse was also an equal opportunity employer,” his children said. “He had several musicians from all types of nationalities, especially those seeking work on the weekends.”
“Dad saw the importance of having musicians on stage who had the versatility of switching instruments,” they added. “If they could sing lead or backup vocals, it was his ultimate accomplishment.”
A family band
In 1957, Camarena married Rosie Hernandez, with the couple having three sons and one daughter, including Jesse Michael Camarena, Johnny A. Camarena, Yvonne “Moreno” Camarena and Eric D. Camarena.
Camarena would later teach his children to play the bass guitar, keyboards, drums, standard guitar, and to sing background vocals with his son, Michael, singing “second voice,” his family said.
“Our Father was adamant in making sure we practiced daily,” his children said. “Once we had 15 songs, we ventured out in public and played our first gig in Hesperia in 1971.”
After several years of being a four-piece band, Camarena added two trumpet players from Victor Valley High School in 1974.
His band would play every weekend, sometimes performing two gigs in one day.
Playing gigs across the Golden State
By 1974, the Daily Press began to mention Latin Express frequently as the band played at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, Elks Lodge, George Air Force Base, clubs, nonprofits and churches. Many of the gigs were fundraisers for local groups.
“Jesse would often say the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds was the home of the Latin Express,” his children said.
Latin Express has played at numerous venues across California, from as far north as Visalia and south as San Clemente. The band continues to perform at anniversaries, baptisms, birthdays, graduations, quinceañeras and weddings.
In 2018, Camarena received his first individual award for his dedication to music. In 2023, the original founding members were also honored with the same award.
In 2023, Latin Express received the Hispanic Lifetime Award from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Dreamers, Leaders and Visionaries, the family said.
Some Latin Express music can be heard on the Bandcamp website at latinexpress760.bandcamp.com.
Work and school
Camarena attended Oro Grande Elementary School, Eva Dell Elementary and Victor Valley Junior High School.
“Jesse played basketball for Victor Valley High School,” his family said. “In his early years, he would talk about the bus rides up to Lone Pine and Bishop.”
Camarena was highly involved in ROTC with his former childhood friend and educator, Felix Diaz, his leader at Victor Valley High School when it was located on Forest Avenue.
“Dad made the rank of sergeant and was very proud of this ranking,” his children said.
At San Bernardino High School, Camarena won the “Best Dancer” at the school’s talent show. He would later graduate from the school in 1954.
After graduation, Camarena earned his auto mechanic certification from San Bernardino Valley College.
Camarena also worked as a mechanic at the Apple Valley Country Club. Several of his cousins and some of his brother-in-laws also worked there.
“He was so proud to be a part of the work crew that added the additional nine holes at the golf course,” Camarena’s family said.
During the week, Camarena was a class A mechanic at Kaiser Cement in Lucerne Valley. On the weekends, he worked on cars in his driveway by day and as a musician at night.
Camarena was known for helping financially struggling people who needed car repairs. He would pay for parts and labor, knowing that the people were struggling from payday to payday.
Camarena was well known at junk yards where he would purchase car parts. After the repairs, people would visit him on River Street with the intention of paying him for repairs.
“As for his musicians, he always provided meals for them, and once they ate our mother’s food, they were hooked and always made it to practice on time,” his family said.
Musical legacy
Camarena is preceded in death by his wife, Rosie, who died, in 2023, and survived by his sisters-in-law, Gloria “Chita” Moreno and Mary Moreno.
Jesse is survived by his children and spouses, including Jesse Michael Camarena (Angie Camarena), Johnny A. Camarena (Margie Valerie Camarena), Yvonne Louise Camarena and Eric Daniel Camarena (Thelma). He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Our father Jesse’s musical legacy is still continuing to this day, also with the children and grandchildren of his former players becoming musicians and singers,” his children said.
“The former players that became professional musicians always came back to River Street to give their mentor an update of their travels, and playing professionally as musicians around the world entertaining the public and troops abroad.”
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert mourns death of Latin Express founder, Jesse Camarena
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
